US split sanctions against Russia - for Crimea and Donbas

The sanctions imposed due to Russia’s annexation of Crimea will be lifted only after the peninsula is returned to Ukraine.

WASHINGTON (QHA) -

The US split sanctions imposed on Russia due to annexation of Crimea and aggression in Eastern Ukraine. They will be valid until the Russian Federation de-occupies Crimea and fulfills the Minsk Agreements, said the US State Department spokesman John Kirby as cited by "Ukrinform."

- The sanctions have been imposed by us against the Russian Federation in order to put pressure on the Russian government and make it respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, in particular, we demand the restoration of Ukraine's control over its eastern part. We're going to keep the sanctions until Russia fulfills its commitments under the Minsk Agreements, said Kirby.

John Kirby noted that the sanctions imposed due to Russia’s seizure of Crimea, "will remain in force as long as Russia continues occupation and annexation."